SKITTLES players stepped up to the mark in a 24-hour charity marathon.

The event at Blakeney British Legion was in aid of Care for Casualties, the welfare charity of Beachley-based 1 Rifles.

The Blakeney side was joined by teams from the Rifles, Blakeney FC, the committee of the Blakeney Legion, Lydney British Legion,Yorkley Star Cricket Club and Lydney Ladies, a group of cancer research fundraisers.

The sides took part in games lasting two hours and the home team was joined by The Rifles to see the marathon through the night.

Between them the teams scored a mammoth 7,456 points with the high scorers among the visitors being Yorkley Star Cricket Club with 323 points and Blakeney FC with 322.

Strong links have been forged between The Rifles and British Legion with a number of cricket matches having been played between them.

Blakeney Legion skittles captain, Martin Smith said: "The skittles match came from that but we decided to extend it to 24 hours.

"It was hard towards the end but it was for a worthwhile cause."

Care for Casualties is an appeal to help the families of the 60 Riflemen killed in action since 2007 and the 30 who have lost limbs, two who have been blinded and two who will remain in neurological units for the rest of their lives.